Australians are seen as nothing like the caring, friendly and hospitable mob so often assumed, with an extensive new survey of recent migrants reporting high levels of ethnic or religious discrimination.

As the Abbott government prepares to strike down part of the racial discrimination law, the Monash University study has found many migrants regularly fear walking alone at night or becoming a victim of crime.

The survey, to be released on Monday, is the latest in a series ''mapping social cohesion'' funded by the Scanlon Foundation and the federal government, and the first to allow researchers to compare the experience of recent migrants to the wider Australian population.

Chinese-born Ming Liu, with his wife Jing and baby Anabelle, has noted cultural misunderstandings but not discrimination. Photo: Jason South

It shows migrants settling over the past two decades often feel singled out because of their skin colour or faith - and report a disturbing lack of trust, both in other people and political institutions compared to the rest of the population.

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They are less likely to be politically engaged, despite been regularly tuned to news and current affairs in their new home.

But it is findings about the national character that appear most stark. Asked to nominate what they ''least like'' about Australia, racism and discrimination are often the first choice for recent migrants.

Those from non-English-speaking backgrounds are almost twice as likely to report suffering discrimination than from English-speaking countries. People from India or Sri Lanka are most likely to list prejudice as the least desirable aspect of Australians - but a significant number of New Zealanders also noted discrimination.

Asked what they ''most like'' about Australia, barely 3 per cent of recent migrants describe Australians as ''caring, friendly, hospitable'', a dramatic drop from similar surveys in the 1990s.

But the latest findings also points to general satisfaction from migrants with their new home, the quality of services, pride in Australia and a belief hard work brings a better life.

The study found migrants no longer experience isolation as was the case in decades past, with technology, cheap airfares and geographic proximity keeping recent arrivals connected with friends and family in their old home.

People from China and India are also far more likely to adopt Australian citizenship than those from Britain or North America.

Chinese-born Ming Liu, who moved to Melbourne from Beijing in 2006 as a self-confessed sports lover, said he had not suffered discrimination living in Australia. But he said cultural misunderstandings did occur and could be taken ''too seriously'', and he had sought out the local football club to make friends soon after arriving in Australia.

He went on to play Australian rules, had a baby girl Anabelle on Australia Day last year - and recently joined the 94 per cent of Chinese-born migrants to Australia with at least a decade of residence who have become citizens.

This compares with 71 per cent of people moving from Britain, North Americans (70 per cent) and New Zealanders (45 per cent). Migration rates have doubled from the 1990s, shifting from an emphasis on family unification to job skills.

Study author Andrew Markus said the findings showed recent migrants had ongoing issues with discrimination. ''Racial discrimination in Australia is not a minor matter. More than 40 per cent of recent arrivals from a number of Asian countries report experience of discrimination over the last 12 months,'' Professor Markus said.

523 comments

Australians always like to think the best of themselves, but their acceptance of others is really their "I don't give a (insert expletive)" attitude to most everything.

Commenter

i'm alright Jack

Date and time

March 24, 2014, 8:01AM

What rubbish !! , We are not racist here after our country is made up of 99% immigrants, this is just hysteria created by the silly greens ..

Commenter

ScottyOnHolidays

Date and time

March 24, 2014, 8:12AM

I am a recent migrant and a KIWI. I own my own business and employ 20 or so Australians.

I agree Australians are generally racist. However, the racism is not overtly widespread, apart from a small redneck minority. Rather, the racism is more widespread as institutional racism, for example, in the media, in government, police force, the army etc.

I have lived in 4 or so western countries and Australia is still at least 20 or so years behind the US, UK and NZ in the respect.

What gets me is how Aussies strut the world stage and lecture others on issues.

Then there is how Australians continue to treat Aboriginies. It's shockingly 19th century still. If only Australia could take a leaf from kiwis and how Maoris have been given a fair deal.

Commenter

LP

Location

Melbourne

Date and time

March 24, 2014, 8:20AM

Unlike people in other parts of the world who think of themselves as horrible people but welcome all immigrants by inviting them to all their family events and involving them in every aspect of their national culture and society.

Commenter

FiSyd

Date and time

March 24, 2014, 8:41AM

The problem with generalisations is that they may only apply to a loud minority. There is a danger that the present government could be viewed as racist. Most Australians want border protection but not at the expense of helping refugees overseas and giving foreign aid.

Commenter

Good Logic

Date and time

March 24, 2014, 8:45AM

The moderators keep rejecting my comments. How ironic that an article about racism will disallow the expression of frank opinion on the matter.

Is it 1984 already?

Commenter

Malik the magic sheep

Location

Perth

Date and time

March 24, 2014, 8:58AM

@ScottyOnHolidays - That's a naive statement. Although I believe it to be in the minority, some of the most bigoted and racist Australians I've met have been immigrants - as well as the typical anglo Aussie. I was in Singapore earlier this year and the general consensus among MANY Singaporeans is that we're a racist country. And while that may not be entirely the case, the fact it's perceived that way is the biggest problem. What should worry us more is that Singapore is a friend - imagine what our enemies think of us!

Commenter

Angry Of Kenthurst

Date and time

March 24, 2014, 9:00AM

@LP, I respectively disagree. Maori people in New Zealand still suffer from the same issues that Indigenous Australians do! I think you need to take a step off your high horse if you are patting yourself on the back regarding the "fair deal" that Maoris got. Also - Asian's in the UK often state they feel discriminated against in the UK.

I think that all countries discriminate against non-Indigenous members to some extent, this includes non-Western countries like China, Japan, Singapore. Some ethnicities are perceived as "lower status" and treated as such (e.g. Philippine and Pakistani nationals in the UAE).

Therefore, all people, regardless of nationality need to take a good hard look at yourself. If you are the ethnic majority in your country, think about how you perceive and treat other ethnicities. If you perceive them only as stereotypes, then get out there, get amongst it, make some friends and open your mind.

Commenter

Gronks

Date and time

March 24, 2014, 9:03AM

I see racist Australians pretty much every day of my life, but I have to say racism based on skin colour or religion is pretty rare. The real glaring racism that seems to dominate Australia is a massive hate of those who cannot speak English properly. Australians have no patience, and no time for those who can't speak fluently with them.

Commenter

Daniel

Date and time

March 24, 2014, 9:07AM

Jack is right, Australians just don't care about anything other than themselves. This of course is a generalisation but it is correct for the majority, and extends from those at the very bottom of the heap to those at the very top.